Eric Mangini

That role, a pivotal one under new coach Chip Kelly, is going from former Browns coach, Eric Mangini, to former Browns defensive coordinator, Jim O’Neil, a league source confirmed Tuesday. Continue Reading →

Mike Vrabel, a linebacker on the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl-winning defense in the early 2000s, will interview Tuesday for the 49ers defensive coordinator role, according to Bleacher Report.

Also, the 49ers have talked with Hardy Nickerson about being their linebackers coach, NFL Network reported. Nickerson served in that role the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after stepping down as Bishop O’Dowd High School’s coach.

Vrabel has been the Houston Texans linebackers coach since 2014.

Eric Mangini was the 49ers defensive coordinator this season, and his status is unknown, although Fox Sports reported Monday there was a “strong possibility” he remains in that role.

Vrabel, 40, is best known for his time on the Patriots from 2001-08. Mangini was Bill Belichick’s defensive backs coach from 2000-04 and defensive coordinator in 2005 before moving on to head-coaching stints with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns.

After a 14-year playing career, Vrabel entered the coaching ranks at his alma mater, Ohio State, where he coached linebackers and the defensive line from 2011-13. He’s been the Houston Texans linebackers coach the past two seasons.

Vrabel was a 1997 third-round draft pick by the Steelers. After winning three Super Bowls in a versatile tenure with the Patriots, he finished his career on the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009-10.

Defensive coordinator Eric Mangini called it a “positive thing” Wednesday that 49ers general manager Trent Baalke is a constant presence at practice and occasionally instructs players.

Defensive backs Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt said so, too, when they revealed Tuesday that “Coach Trent” often comes out to practice, and neither player expressed any qualm with that. Continue Reading →

Coach Jim Tomsula said Monday the 49ers are undertaking a major evaluation of every player on the roster, but was decidedly vague on what changes might be made — including possibly at quarterback — to salvage a rapidly sinking season.

“We’re evaluating everything,” Tomsula said at his weekly press conference a day after the 49ers lost 27-6 at St. Louis to fall to 2-6. “We’re in the middle of it right now. I don’t have any comments on any position on our field right now. We’re evaluating everyone.”

Almost no defense has been more generous this season than the 49ers, and that unit certainly can’t afford Sunday to give up the “free plays” that have become a routine asset for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Continue Reading →